At the Stellantis Style Centre in Via Plava, Turin, the atmosphere is that of the never-to-be-repeated occasion. At the entrance, as if Giugiaro himself had just laid down his pencil, stands a red Panda from 1980, its legacy soon to become apparent. The climate is vibrant and enthusiastic: a blend of freshness and corporate commitment that seems to have also left its mark on the formal design study.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Fiat](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025030402_FiatGrandePanda.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The first Panda remains the guide<\/strong><\/span> Lines playing on practicality and vibrancy<\/strong><\/span> Great quality of craftsmanship<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u201cThe original Panda was our benchmark right from the start and we constantly referred back to it to refine our choices in a positive feedback loop\u201d, Fran\u00e7ois Leboine, head of Fiat and Abarth design, states. \u201cAfter all, this was not just about aesthetics. The original Panda forged a genuine connection with its owners, and that connection remains our guiding principle today even more than its form\u201d. The design process was intertwined with new industrial demands that, when the project began four years ago, prompted \u201cthe need to create a much more globally marketable car\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\u201cDurability and simplicity were the key principles, reinterpreted in a contemporary, distinctly Italian way, which we compare to a well-executed recipe\u201d, Leboine jokes. The front light clusters, capable of \u201creimagining the square theme of the 1980s by evolving it into pixels\u201d that are both digital and retro, are just one example of this \u2018flavour\u2019. The entire design language, however, plays on the dual level of practicality and vibrancy, highlighted by details such as \u201cthe bars of the old Fiat logo, which have become four instead of five because the human eye perceives them in the same way, or the iridescent badge on the rear door that creates a striking optical effect\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nRight up to an element that really excites designers: \u201cOn the electric car, the front badge not only recalls the graphic asymmetry of forty-five years ago, but points to the location of the retractable charging cable, a unique marketing feature of ours\u201d.
\nAnd how could one possibly overlook the letters embossed on the sides? \u201cInspired by the name on the tailgate of some 4×4 versions, the result of fevered discussions among managers and engineers\u201d, they add a bold touch of \u201cpop\u201d creativity and showcase the quality of the sheet metal work. In fact, the car\u2019s sharp lines stem directly from this craftsmanship.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>